The Rangers have at least “check[ed] in” on free-agent slugger Mark Trumbo, according to a report from Jon Heyman of Fan Rag. The extent of the team’s interest, though, isn’t yet clear.
Texas had been said to be the favorite to add Mike Napoli, another right-handed power hitter who’d presumably step in at first base and/or DH. But those talks haven’t proceeded as quickly as had seemed likely; per Heyman, the Rangers and Napoli aren’t quite seeing eye to eye on a deal.
That seems to have opened up at least some space for the Rangers to consider alternatives. Trumbo, who’ll turn 31 in a few days, is significantly younger than the 35-year-old Napoli. That had led to expectations that he’d be able to land a lengthier contract, though at present there’s no indication of long-term interest on the market. Of course, despite his prodigious power output — including a league-leading 47 bombs in 2016 — Trumbo also lags Napoli in on-base ability with a career .303 mark. And while the former is theoretically capable of playing the outfield, he has never drawn strong reviews for his glovework on the grass.
Trumbo remains the top unsigned player on MLBTR’s top 50 free agent list. But it’s fair to wonder whether the Rangers are looking mostly for a chance at a relative bargain by opening up a dialogue with his representatives. That’s the course the team pursued last year with Ian Desmond — who required the sacrifice of a draft choice, as would Trumbo — and Texas has shown little inclination to hand out major, long-term contracts this winter. The Rangers hold what’s currently the 26th choice in the 2017 draft.
Seems like a good method to push Napoli to sign.
Yea if it wasnt for the drugs being involved and investigated
really? lol
Huh?
i hope the article said: he has never drawn “rave” reviews for his glovework… *sigh*
Everyone has been saying this of late. I don’t get the joke. Can someone enlighten me?
The Peter O’Brien article. Someone commented that he “doesn’t draw rave reviews at catcher and in the outfield” three times – twice as a reply and once as a separate comment.
I’m fine with either I just want a good 1B. It would be great if they get trumbo in the outfield and nap at 1st.
Not sure as though you would want to sacrifice the defense in the grass for someone like Trumbo if you are simply signing the similar player in Napoli.
Need Hamilton at DH, Trumbo at first and Choo in right with Gomez in center, Mazara left
I love Choo, but even your mention of him playing the field probably just tightened his hamstring. I would love a full season of his bat though, and it would be nice if he could kick the injury bug. I’m just hoping he can be healthy enough to play the field against southpaws, so Lucroy can DH on those days, with Chirinos, who hits lefties well, catching on those days. If affordable(and he should be), I’d take Moss in the outfield against righties. Or stick Odor out there and let Profar play 2B against righties, and move Odor back to the infield against lefties… Random thoughts…
Yea Choo has gained 20lbs this offseason
I hope the Rangers add another bad contract.
I would to if I were an Astros fan constantly finishing behind us.
They will still be the weak Astros’ daddy.
How bad contracts did the Astros add this year??
Got tired of being behind. So now this year they got desperate and started signing FA’s.
After being told. “Oh be patient. The young guys are coming. You will sit up top for years!”
Now you have a mix of young and really old guys on the team!
“Ummm excuse me Mr. Beltrán. Are you my Daddy???”
Trumbo doesn’t get rave reviews in the OF or catcher
“he has never drawn strong reviews for his glovework” But what does that mean? Couldn’t you qualify it at least a little better than that, for those of us who would like to better gauge his defensive risk? i.e: average, slightly below, significantly below, or complete freekin liability…
How about, he’s below average in the field. That’s at 1B and OF
It means not rave